USVIHTA Update | September 2022
Office of the Governor, Tourism, Royal Caribbean Hosting Fifth Community Business Forum Ahead of Tourist Season
The Office of the Governor, in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Department of Tourism, is holding its fifth USVI Community Business Forum to engage the business community in preparing for the upcoming enhanced cruising season. The forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 8 at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall on St. Croix. The event will also be livestreamed at facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI. The theme of this forum is ‘Reshaping the Guest Experience,’ and the conversation will address business opportunities, prioritizing customer service, the tourism infrastructure and building a skilled hospitality workforce. The USVI Community Business Forum series was developed to address COVID-19’s impact on the territory’s economy and building a path to recovery – putting our businesses, and our livelihoods, back together. The series is an initiative of the Office of the Governor, the VI Economic Development Authority and the VI Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Royal Caribbean Group. Since its inception 2020, four virtual sessions have been held to engage the USVI business community. For more information and to register visit www.vi.gov/cbf. Read more.

More local news:
FEMA Bulletin: National Preparedness Month Kicks off Sept. 1
Sept. 1 marks the start of National Preparedness Month. While preparedness is an ongoing effort, the month is an excellent time to encourage preparedness nationwide and evaluate your preparedness plans. This year’s theme “A Lasting Legacy” was chosen to empower people to protect the life they’ve built to create a lasting legacy for themselves and their families. This year’s National Preparedness Month campaign features a call to action for the Black and African American communities. While the new marketing campaign leverages the rich, diverse cultures of the Black and African American population, it also encourages people of all backgrounds to prepare. Throughout September, FEMA Bulletin will publish simple steps you can take to make sure you and your entire family is prepared for disasters. To learn more about National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov. Read more from FEMA's weekly bulletin.

More regional news:
CHTA’s CHIEF Awards Open for Nominations
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has called for nominations for its Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) Awards, which recognize best practices in four areas: business operations, human resources, sales and marketing, and sustainability. CHIEF awards honor and celebrate successful practices which CHTA member hotels and tourism-related enterprises have adopted to improve the quality of tourism, the Caribbean’s major economic driver. The awards are open to all members of CHTA or one of the region’s National Hotel and Tourism Associations (NHTA), ministries or departments of tourism, travel industry partners, online travel agencies (OTA), travel Intermediaries, trade press, CHTA strategic partners and sponsors as well as the general public. Read more.
Bryan Williams' Tip: Focus on These Three Words Every Day
With every team I've been fortunate to lead, I always implored everyone to own their work.

  • Make suggestions before being asked.
  • Recognize others before being asked.
  • Hold each other accountable without being asked.
  • And hold ME accountable without being asked.

That's right. As the leader, I can't expect my team to live up to standards that I am not living up to myself! The message is clear! Do what you know you need to do BEFORE you are asked to do it. Whenever I see someone take initiative, I get excited because I know that person is operating from a place of honor, passion and love.

️People can always tell when you love what you’re doing. (And they can easily tell when you don’t.) It’s in the way you answer the phone and the way you reply to emails. It’s even in your attentiveness for online meetings. Let love for what you do take over!

As a professional who takes initiative, never get tired of performing your role with excellence. Love that about yourself. Even if no one around you understands or encourages your drive. Do it anyway. There is no law against taking initiative and owning your work.

Takeaway: Three words every day: Honor. Passion. Love.
Association Health Plans Available Now through Elan
The Hotel & Tourism Association continues to work to identify great opportunities for our members. We've recently signed an agreement with Elan Insurance Group to offer Association Health Plans. Click the photo to view the PDF version in your browser. The PDF lets members know about:
  1. This great NEW benefit
  2. Who is qualified to receive it
  3. How to get started

For more information, contact Omar Andres Haedo directly at omar.a.haedo@elan.insure.
Save the Date

Don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.
Lisa Hamilton 
USVIHTA President 
340-774-6835